Intermodal Takes Record Share from Trucks

(Journal of Commerce Online – John D. Boyd)

International traffic leads fourth-quarter gain in long-haul moves

U.S. freight shippers sent their highest shares yet by intermodal combination moves in the 2009 fourth quarter, compared with using trucks only, said transportation consultants FTR Associates. Intermodal, which pairs short-haul trucking with long-haul rail service, took an estimated 13.3% of the long-haul market for international and domestic containerized freight, FTR said.

That is up 0.2% from the third quarter and is “slightly above the previous high-water mark” in fourth-quarter 2008, FTR said. “Intermodal has gained share for three consecutive quarters since the freight meltdown” began, said Lawrence Gross, senior consultant for FTR. Read more here.